Pumpkin Custard in a Jar {easy for lunches and snacks!} Paleo, Traditional, nourishing

I *love* having items in my fridge that are ready to be put into lunch sacks! LOVE. This coming school year I’ll not only be packing a lunch for my high schooler, but my husband asked me to start packing his lunches again, too. (We are selling our Paleo cafe to have more time to focus on our upcoming adoption; so we he won’t be eating at our shop everyday, as he has in the past.)

I can do this. All homemade. No factory-made food. Whether I’m packing at 9 p.m. or 6 a.m. I am going to be Batch-Lunch-Cooker!

They’ll love it. And I’ll love grabbing the jar and putting it in the fabric bag! Easy, nourishing, yummy, and quick to make.

Custard

It’s a benevolent food: as delicious as ice cream, complete comfort food, but it also hides so much nourishment. My recipe contains lots of pumpkin (you can even use leftover winter squash), egg yolks, gelatin and collagen peptides… with not too much sweetener. It’s high in good fats and good cholesterol, plus it contains protein, carbs and gut-healing properties.

In a Jar

It will make you happy to line up your mason jars and fill each one, then to screw on the lids and place them in the fridge to “set up”, ready for when you need them. So handy. Like yogurts from the store, but more sustainable, because these containers get washed and reused.

(Or… serve this custard as a dessert in pretty glasses. Add a bit more maple syrup or honey if you serve them for dessert (1/2 cup total). And top with whipped cream or meringue.)

Hurrah to Pumpkin

Yes, it’s almost fall and here’s that well-loved veggie, almost the most popular flavor among Americans, after vanilla. You can used canned, organic pumpkin (BPA-free liner) or use leftover baked winter squash, pureed. Either way this autumnal goodness is high in fiber, Vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium and Vitamin C.

These custards taste like healthy real food; yet it’s also hard to eat just one: they’re a treat.

In most of the photos I’ve topped the pumpkin with my favorite meringue. It uses the egg whites leftover from the egg yolks that go into the custard. Meringue is very easy and fast to make, super fun for kids, can be piped on quickly and beautifully, keeps well in the fridge, and (deep breath) this version is pretty high in protein yet low in sweetener. SO, if you’re so inclined to top your custard with a pretty garnish, I recommend it. Whipped cream or whipped coconut cream would also be lovely.

Texture, take note

Warm/hot custard is quite pourable, like yogurt that’s not super thick. If you wish to use custard like the British do, this custard can be served warm, poured over steamed pudding cake or any cake… hopefully with a cup of tea, wing back chairs and a cozy fire nearby.

Once you refrigerate the custard it will firm up a bit more.

I hope you get the pleasure of eating the custard both ways! …and the convenience of pouring the autumnal goo into jars and placing them in the fridge, for when you need a real food treat you can grab.

Whisk together arrowroot, collagen, gelatin, spices and sea salt in a medium bowl.

Into a medium saucepan, add milk, pumpkin, egg yolks, and maple syrup. Sprinkle the arrowroot mixture over its surface, and whisk to combine. (The egg yolks will get mixed in, but the pumpkin may not break up all the way until it's well heated.)

Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, whisking CONSTANTLY until the pudding begins to thicken. It will thicken in two stages: It will start to steam first, and become more viscous; this is your sign that the custard is almost done. Then at the 10 minute mark it will thicken more. Once thickened, remove immediately from the heat. (It will thicken more again upon chilling.)

Add butter and vanilla and continue to stir until mixed. Pour into jars/individual serving dishes, and chill.

Here's a recipe for Paleo Meringue, with 1/2 the sweetener, compared to most recipes. It uses 2 egg whites. But I recently made it with all 4 egg whites and it turned out beautifully! So use all 4 for the added protein, if desired.

Healing my own family has helped me to learn about healing the gut, autoimmune diseases, supplements, and how healing foods are one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. We all need encouragement and alternatives to replace our old favorites. Sign up to receive recipes, monthly freebies, and the latest in remedial articles.